Moonlight Secrets by R.L. Stine Page A

surprise.”
    â€œShark’s right,” I said. “We can’t just ask her for the amulet and expect she’ll give it to us.”
    â€œShe’ll turn us into frogs or something,” Shark said. He meant it as a joke, but it didn’t seem too funny.
    Nikki suddenly looked frightened. “Shut up! You’re just going to break into her house and steal the amulet?”
    â€œThat’s the plan,” Shark said.
    â€œMaybe we can do it without even waking her up,” I said. I felt a sudden chill of fear. “I mean, she’s dangerous. No joke. She’s evil.”
    Lewis rolled his eyes. “I think you’re crazy.”
    Shark tilted his head and gazed at him. “Why?”
    â€œI think you should call the police,” Lewis said. “Explain to them what Candy has been doing.”
    Nikki, Shark, and I laughed.
    â€œFor sure,” I said. “That’s perfect. Officer, a girl in our class is a witch, and she’s been casting horrible spells on me. Could you arrest her and take away the evil pendant she’s been using?”
    Lewis let out a long sigh. “Okay, okay. You’re right. That wouldn’t work. But countme out. This whole plan . . . it’s too dangerous. Totally. After my accident last year . . . well . . . I don’t want anything to do with magic pendants or the Fear family.”
    â€œThe amulet is too dangerous,” I said. “You know me, Lewis. I usually try to talk Shark out of these crazy schemes. But this time he’s right. Candy . . . she almost drowned us. You weren’t there, Lewis. Jamie was barely breathing. It was the most terrifying day of my life.”
    â€œAnd no one will believe us about the amulet,” Shark said. “We just have to do it ourselves. We have to take it away from her and hide it somewhere it will never be found.”
    â€œWell, I’m outta here,” Lewis said, climbing up. “Good luck, guys. I really mean it.”
    We watched him walk out of the bar. He kissed the plaque on the wall on his way out. For extra luck, I guessed.
    The three of us fell silent. I glanced at the Budweiser clock behind the bar. Nearly three-thirty. Ryland sat hunched on his tall stool, his back against the wall, half asleep.
    I suddenly wanted to be home too. I didn’t want to be breaking into Candy’s house and stealing that evil amulet.
    I didn’t even believe in evil amulets!
    Finally Shark turned to Nikki. He placed his hand over hers. “Are you coming with us?”
    She hesitated. “I guess,” she replied finally. “But I’m really frightened.”
    â€œLet’s go do it,” Shark said.

24
    We said good night to Ryland and walked to Shark’s car. It was a cold, damp night. No stars or moon in the sky. The wind kept gusting, and I felt light raindrops on my face as we walked.
    I was shivering as I climbed into the back seat of the green Saturn. Shivering from the cold? From my fear?
    I wasn’t sure.
    Nikki climbed into the front seat. Shark turned the heater up high as soon as he started the engine.
    Of course there were no other cars on the street. By ten o’clock, all of Shadyside is closed up. They don’t even have a midnight show at the Cineplex at the mall.
    Shark drove slowly, his eyes straight ahead.None of us said a word. I knew we were all thinking about what we were about to do.
    Could we take Candy by surprise?
    If we didn’t, she might use the amulet on us.
    I pictured Galen’s swollen mouth, the lips stitched up with black thread. I pictured the bright red blood shooting from my ears, spraying the walls, the floor—and everyone.
    I swallowed.
    I hugged myself to stop the shivers.
    Angelica Fear had used that amulet. A hundred years ago, she had used that same amulet to kill people.
    And now Candy had it.
    And she hated me.
    Shark cut the headlights about half a block